MISSING IN ACTION ~ lost & missing family medals

As we commemorate the final year of the 100th Anniversary of World War 1, also referred to as “The Great War” or “War to End all Wars” (it was neither ‘great’ nor did it ‘end’ all wars), we do so by remembering and honouring the memory of a generation of New Zealand’s young fighting men and women whose lives were cut short by their selfless desire to ‘volunteer’ for this disasterous slaughter. Descendants of these deceased men and women have been sharply reminded over the last three years of the sacrifices they made to secure our freedoms of today.

Regrettably, many of the war medals and commemorative mementos awarded for service, or received by the grief stricken families of the dead, have been lost, stolen, sold and even given away over the years. Many still survive in private collection world-wide. Others are traded or auctioned on the internet, and some are discovered randomly.

Interest by families in finding the family medals of WW1 and WW2 has never been greater. The medals that still exist, if recovered, can provide an opportunity for descendant families to re-connect with a veteran ancestors memory, and to honour their service and sacrifice by wearing their medals.

Whilst attendance at an occasion for Remembrance is about honouring and remembering those who have served, wearing their medals provides that personal, tangible connection to the veteran. When our children wear a veteran family member’s medals, they are visually educating the next generation in the protocol and traditions associated with Remembrance. A family veteran’s medals are a fundamental element for demonstrating to others how we honour the memory and sacrifice of ancestor veterans – with respect and dignity.

Descendant requests for medals ?

Families throughout New Zealand contact MRNZ every week with requests for family medals that have been lost or are missing for a variety of reasons – most are prepared to pay to recover them! We are more than happy to act as negotiator for a family and/or the medal owner, to facilitate a potential return of medals. Complete discretion and confidentiality is assured for both parties.

We have requests from proven** descendants who are looking for the missing medals of family veterans listed below. If you have any of the listed medals and are prepared to negotiate their return to a family, or you can provide information as to the whereabouts of a particular veteran’s medals, please contact Ian at MRNZ.

** photographic & documentary proof of ancestry is required before any medal is released to a claimant.

1914/15 Star, British War Medal & Victory Medal + ANZAC Medallion (boxed) and ANZAC Lapel Badge, Silver War Badge, Returned Soldiers Badge + large A4 size B&W photograph of Robert Adams in uniform on a camel in front of sphinx a pyramid (incl camel handler on a donkey beside him)

2NZEF; St. John – Commander of the Order of St. John (CStJ); NZ Divisional Artillery – 1939/45 Star, 1939/45 War Medal, Defence Medal, 1939/45 NZ War Service Medal 1939/45 + Service Medal of Order of St. John (? Bars)

NZ Army; NZ Operational Service Medal, Korean War Medal, Vietnam War Medal, Long Service & Good Conduct (LS&GC) Medal, United Nations War Service Medal (Korea), Republic of Korea War Service Medal, South Vietnam Campaign medal

General Service Medal 1918-1962 (GeoVI) – Clasps: PALESTINE, and MALAYA

Sold after the war by owner who wishes to recover

List your MISSING family medals here – contact MRNZ

You are welcome to have your missing family medals listed on this page for FREE. We will contact you in the event the medals become available. When making a request, please indicate if areward is offered. Further details regarding any reward may be obtained from MRNZ.

LEGEND

NEW additions – Jan / Feb 2018

* = brothers

** = father & son

# = given name on enlistment

RP=Reported to NZ Police T=Theft B=Burglary W=Waiouru Army Museum

PTE / SGT = range of ranks medal may be engraved with

(CPL) = highest known rank

(KIA) = cause of death: KIA – Killed In Action, DOW – Died of Wounds, DOD – Died of Disease, DOS – Died of Sickness, DOA – Died as result of Accident

NZ National Army Museum – THEFT of Medals

In December 2007 a large number of medals were stolen from the New Zealand Army Museum at Waiouru, some later being recovered. The web link below lists the medals of significance that have not yet been recovered. If you see any of these medals, or hear of any information that could lead to recovery, please contact the National Army Museum Curator or any of the MRNZ team.